RE: Suzuki 2 Timer Full Review

Thanks for the review (and all the tremolo reviews) - like all the others 
it's very useful.   I'd just like to say that it isn't too difficult to 
alter the wetness/dryness of the tuning of a tremolo harmonica.  All that is 
needed is a little metal removal from the surface of reeds.  I have Hohner 
double-sided Echos and I adjust not only the tremolo (easy) but also the 
overall fine-tuning to equal temperament (more difficult) and the Richter 
tuning to Paddy Richter (even harder!).  To adjust the tremolo I work on 
just the higher-pitched of the two reeds.  To get a wetter tremolo I just 
remove metal from near the tip of the reed so as to raise its pitch very 
slightly and therefore make it slightly more "out" with the partner reed.  
To get a drier tremolo I remove metal from near the base of the reed to make 
it nearer to the partner reed's tuning.  You might think this is a lot of 
trouble to go to, but it's very useful to be able to do this on older harps 
that may have drifted out of tune slightly, giving you the "wrong" tremolo 
on just a few notes.  The amount of metal removal needed is minuscule.  I 
use the little chisel from the Lee Oskar repair kit, but you could easily 
improvise.  Just make sure you support the reed underneath when scraping.  I 
don't bother to take off the reed-plates - I just work through the holes if 
needs be, poking a narrow, flat-bladed screwdriver very carefully down the 
hole as a reed support tool.  I don't recommend trying to bend reeds up 
through the slots.  Get out those old rusting Weekenders and have a 
practice!  :-)


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>Suzuki 2 Timer SU-21
>
>Overall:  A very nice looking harmonica with sturdy cover plates. Feels
>comfortable
>in your hands and mouth. Reed response is very good across the whole
>harmonica.
>
>Price:  US$18.95 plus shipping from Coast To Coast Music.
>
>Keys:  C, A
>
>Size:  21-tone.
>
>Box:  Nice strong cream color plastic box. Key label on top and end of box.
>Velvet line with a good thick cleaning cloth inside.
>
>Physicality: Black plastic comb marked with white at the beginning of each
>octave
>making it very easy to see the beginning and end of each octave.
>If you are new to tremolo this is a nice visual learning tool that can help
>you learn the note lay out quickly. Reed plates look like stainless steal
>with eight screws holding them to the comb. Cover plates also look like
>stainless steel with one brass screw and tap holding them in place at each
>end.
>That makes ten screws holding this harmonica together. All of the above
>gives
>a nice hefty feel to the harmonica making it feel and look like a quality
>instrument in your hands.
>
>Tone & Tuning:  Tune to A-443 in a compromise tuning. While signal note
>play
>sounds best to my ears chords are not bad but may sound a little ruff if
>you
>are use to true Just Intonation tuning. As for the tone I would describe
>it as
>being not to bright or mellow but some where in the middle.
>
>Play ability: The reeds respond very well to light and hard play across
>the whole harmonica. No need to change breath pressure on some reeds
>with this harmonica.
>
>Downsides:  The only thing I have against the harmonica is it is a dry
>tremolo.
>I prefer a more organ like sound that comes from a wet tremolo. Also chords
>sound a little ruff to my ears but not bad as stated before.